Bruce was told by his school principal with the candour of the era: “Your dad just dropped dead at Boyer.”

Inspired by the memory of his father, Mr Goodluck has fought for the rights of single fathers in the years since.

When he was the federal member for Franklin in the 1970s, he helped the Lone ­Fathers Association correct an anomaly in the social security system that denied single ­fathers equal access to social security benefits.

Barry Williams, from the Lone Fathers Association, said a posthumous life membership for Harry Goodluck was a recognition of his role in shaping Bruce into a crusader.

“Bruce and Michael Hodgman helped me all the way,” Mr Williams said.

“Bruce was a great support. We made Bruce a life member, and we’re going to make his ­father a life member as well.”

Mr Goodluck says even after the passage of so many years, he was glad to see his ­father honoured.

“He was a marvellous man, he helped me all the way. I think he deserves it,” he said.